Two students of Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) earnt success in the Grand Final of the 2026 Indonesian Physics Olympiad (OFI) held in Bandung on February 13–15, 2026. M. Fadhlan Fadhillah (grade 11) won a bronze medal in the Theoretical Physics Case Study category, while Ulwan Ilmani Mufid (grade 10) won a bronze medal in the Earth Physics Case Study category. Both competed with the best finalists from 10 provinces in Indonesia as well as representatives of Indonesian schools in Malaysia.
OFI 2026 is a collaboration between the Indonesian Scientific Society (ISS) and SEAMEO QITEP in Science, with academic support from lecturers from the Indonesian University of Education (UPI), the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and Padjadjaran University (Unpad). The fifth edition of the championship is supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly point 4 on quality education.
This year, as many as 243 students from 21 provinces registered as participants. Following a selection process, 99 students from 10 provinces qualified for the Grand Final round, held at De Java Hotel, Bandung. The competition presented a panel of judges consisting of national physics experts, including Prof. Bobby Eka Gunara (ITB), Dr. Selly Feranie (UPI), and Dr. Kartika Hajar Kirana, M.Si. (Unpad).
The mentor and Co. Enrichment and Competition of Thursina IIBS, Ustaz Fatah Kurniawan, M.Pd., said that the achievement was the result of a structured coaching and consistent training.
"The competition not only tests conceptual understanding but also analytical skills in solving complex case studies. Alhamdulillah, they were able to show resilience and discipline throughout the process," he said.
He added that the science coaching program in Thursina IIBS is designed to develop readiness to fight off national and international competitions through regular practice and strengthening conceptual material.
Meanwhile, M. Fadhlan Fadhillah expressed his gratitude for the experience. "The questions on the test were very challenging and opened my eyes to the application of physics in both theoretical contexts and earth phenomena. It drives me to continue improving my academic capacity," he said.
The success has demonstrated Thursina IIBS's commitment to build a systematic and sustainable science development ecosystem. The institution hopes this accomplishment will foster a culture of scientific competition and increase student participation in national and global academic stages. (iz/lil)
